Maybe It's Not Just Old Age

Everybody knows how common arthritis is in older people and many people know that it is fairly common in older dogs, especially in the larger breeds.  However, even in the veterinary community, it was not thought that cats were likely to have arthritis.  In fact, we now know that 90% of cats 12 years and older have arthritis.  The odd thing about cats and arthritis is that x-rays are only diagnostic 22% of the time.  The changes cats exhibit can be very subtle, unlike in dogs who will visibly limp or show definite signs of stiffness when they get up.  Cats are very good at hiding pain and illness.  With cats, it may be that you suddenly realize your cat is not sleeping or sitting on the high places like always.  Sometimes, inappropriate elimination can be tied to arthritis in that it is too painful for your cat to climb into the litter box anymore.  Cats have some unique drug metabolism pathways that have made it difficult in the past to effectively treat pain from arthritis.  We now have alternatives that can be very effective in cats.  In fact, Lilly, who many of you know from coming into the clinic over the last 12 years is now benefiting from medication to treat arthritis.  After she had been on medication for awhile, we realized we were starting to see her more and more in her old haunts around the clinic and we have had to become used to looking up to higher perches again when we can't find her.  I have known her since she first joined us as a young adult over 11 years ago and it is nice to have to look for her up high again.
Jan Hueben, RVT

August Was Tough

I was very glad to see August end here in the clinic.  We had an unusually high number of euthanasias. I have been here since 1989, so, many of these pets are dogs and cats that I have known since they were puppies and kittens.  And for some families, I have participated with them in euthanasias several times over the years. There is such joy and excitement when a new pet finds a new home and quickly becomes part of the heart and soul of its new family.  Unfortunately, the years fly by so fast and so many diseases and illnesses can afflict our pets. This month we have said goodbye to many of our senior pets and to several of our younger pets with serious medical conditions.  People always tell me that they could not do my job - it would be too painful.  The only way I make it through these deaths is with the knowledge that the final visit I have with your pets is filled with compassion and caring.  To be able to end suffering in a gentle and peaceful way is the final gift I have to offer the dogs and cats who have given so much to me in my day to day work life.  The hug I share with you on that day is as much for me as for you as you say goodbye to your pet. I grieve not only for the cat or dog but also for the owners going home without their pet for the last time and I am always reminded of saying goodbye to my own dog, Harriet, who we euthanized 4 years ago.   So, yes it is hard, but euthanasia is a choice we make out of love for our pets and all the love they have given to us.
Jan Hueben, RVT